Dad of Damilola Taylor dies aged 75 after life spent campaigning to end knife crime following his son's death aged 10 | V60G3VS | 2024-03-25 06:08:01
Richard Taylor passed away this morning aged 75 after a
DAMILOLA Taylor's dad who spent his life campaigning to end knife crime following the demise of his son has died.
Richard Taylor passed away this morning aged 75 after a battle with prostate cancer.
Richard's son Damilola was 10 when he was killed on his approach house from an after-school membership at the native library in 2000.
He was ambushed and knifed within the leg with a damaged bottle by two brothers, who have been 12 and 13 on the time.
After his demise, Richard set up the Damilola Taylor Trust in a bid to cease to knife crime and improve the lives of young individuals.
Richard was later awarded an OBE and labored alongside two former Prime Ministers.
His family immediately stated it is with "a heavy coronary heart" that they announce his tragic dying.
A press release read: "It is with a heavy coronary heart that the family announce the demise of our beloved father, grandfather and uncle, Mr Richard Adeyemi Taylor OBE, who sadly passed away within the early hours of Saturday March 23 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, after a protracted battle with prostate cancer."
After he was attacked, Damilola managed to crawl to a stairwell on the council estate where he lived in Peckham, south London, however tragically bled to dying.
The senseless attack 24 years in the past happened just four months after he had moved to England together with his household from Nigeria in hope of a better life.
Six years later, Danny and Ricky Preddie have been convicted of manslaughter.
The Preddie brothers have been members of a gang generally known as the Younger Peckham Boys, who have been at the time terrorising the streets of south London.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> Each had a historical past with crime on the time of the killing.
The jailing came after a collection of police and forensic blunders and three Previous Bailey trials costing £20million.
Damilola's demise shocked the nation and have become certainly one of London's most high-profile killings.
In 2017, BBC drama Damilola, Our Liked Boy, was aired – telling the household's struggled for justice.
Damilola arrived in Britain together with his mum Gloria, brother Tunde and elder sister Gbemi.
Richard beforehand spoke about how Damilola dreamed of turning into a physician as a result of he needed to remedy sister Gbemi's epilepsy.
Devoted dad Richard stayed in Lagos for work when his family took the brave leap to return to the UK.
However he dashed over following his son's dying.
</div> </div> Richard was remembered by TV viewers at the time for collapsing in grief at his son's murder scene.
Damilola is buried next to his mum and Richard's spouse Gloria, who died of a coronary heart attack in 2008 aged 57.
Richard worked as an adviser to& Gordon Brown& and& Boris Johnson.
In 2020, Richard informed Johnson to "get a grip" on youth crime after two extra boys have been stabbed to demise within the capital.
A 16-year-old lad died from knife wounds in the former PM's constituency just half an hour after another, aged 15, was killed in a separate incident.
At the time, Richard stated he was "drained" of listening to about kids' lives being taken.
He stated: "One of the murders of these boys occurred in his personal constituency, the place violence is turning into rampant.
"I met& Boris Johnson& in November and pointed out youth teams have been being pressured to shut down as a result of lack of funds.
"I am uninterested in hearing about more young lives being taken."
Richard additionally campaigned alongside ex-England star Rio Ferdinand – who grew up on the same property Damilola lived and died on.
The England ace made a direct attraction to youngsters for details about the teenager's demise in 2000.
Rio's TV attraction was the start of an extended friendship with& Damilola's parents.
At his suggestion, they set up the Damilola Taylor Trust, which nonetheless runs at this time.
Its purpose is to assist youngsters and younger people who are weak to gang and knife crime.
Tributes at the moment are flooding in for the campaigner.
Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer posted on X: "Richard championed breaking down obstacles to opportunity via the Damilola Taylor Belief, in honour of his son's memory.
"He can be remembered for his courage, willpower and message of hope. My condolences to Richard's household and associates."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan stated: "I am sorry to listen to of the very unhappy passing of Richard Taylor OBE.
"He lived a life in complete legacy to his son, Damilola, dedicating his time to giving younger individuals a hopeful future by way of constructive alternatives. Might he relaxation in peace and energy."
Flowers laid at the scene where Damilola sadly died[/caption]
Rio Ferdinand has campaigned with Richard because the start[/caption]
Richard and wife Gloria thought the UK can be a recent start for their household[/caption]
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